Beverly's Lombardi to exhibit at Cummings Center

Tuesday

From originally being born in Italy, to working as a mason and being a painter, Beverly resident Donald “Nino” Lombardi has led an eventful and interesting life during his 89 years.

Lombardi was 6 months old when he first came to the United States and his family settled in Beverly. After being asked how and when he got into painting, Lombardi said painting has always been a part of his life.

“I painted all my life with a pencil,” he said.

Lombardi said he began to paint after receiving a paint set as a gift from a nurse. From then on, he began to develop a routine where he would paint, then sell his work and then use the money to buy more paint.

“And I’ll never forgot her for the rest of my life,” he said of the nurse. “And I started to paint when I got home. And I paint, and I would sell it. And then I would buy more paint, sell it. And I’m awful sorry that I never got her address. But she’s always on my mind, that she gave me a start in my world of art.”

After briefly meeting philanthropist Bill Cummings at an event to promote the entrepreneur's autobiography, Lombardi introduced himself; Lombardi later called Cummings’ office and asked for an appointment.

When Cummings answered his question, he than recognized Lombardi as Donald “Nino” Lombardi from Lombardi’s work on BevCam, YouTube and Google. From there, Cummings invited Lombardi to have a showing for his artwork, which will begin on Dec. 11. The showing will be held at the Cummings Center in Beverly, and will continue for the week.

One subject that Lombardi is particularly known to use in his is work is penguins, and he has created several works of art featuring these creatures. Lombardi explains that his work with penguins is a creative art piece that’s intended for children.

Lombardi explains his belief that the act of thinking is now originating from computers and the digital world, rather than coming from an individual’s body, and we are now losing our creative ability at a slow pace. Lombardi also discussed how he plans to use his time by teaching children, or parents to paint, as well as to be creative, and he plans on introducing all his artwork. Aside from penguins, Lombardi primarily paints scenes from the North Shore.

One aspect of the Cummings Center showing that will be featured is a new form of presenting art that Lombardi came up with, called the “gallery look.” This new look will feature paintings with no frames; the paintings will recess out 2.5 inches from the wall.

Lombardi said, on some occasions, a painting’s frame can display a painting in a manner that isn’t right for it, because a frame can hide part of the painting’s attractiveness, and all the skill that’s been put into it.

“I am very pleased that I found somebody that realizes that my art is important for people to see," said Lombardi when asked whether he’s excited to share his paintings at the Cummings Center. "What they see in my art, I know they’ll be full of joy and happiness, and I guarantee you I have never heard a person complain about the price I get for it, or the showing I get for it.”

And what does he hope will happen after the show.

“I haven’t stopped painting for 50 years and God is going to give me more time,” Lombardi said. “I’m still going to paint 'til I’m 100.”